What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students submit the FAFSA to apply for financial aid for college from the federal government, state governments and most colleges and universities. About 20 million students file the FAFSA each year. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, student employment and student loans.
Before starting the Financial Aid Application, please review the 
Top 10 Mistakes on FAFSA.pdf to ensure you don't make these mistakes.
Paper FAFSA Application link: https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1819/pdf/PdfFafsa18-19.pdf
*This is used as a tool to assist you in gathering information needed for the online application
|
Step 1
|
Create an FSA ID
How to Create FSA ID Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ihhGk8mCY
PPT:
What is an FSA ID?
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.
|
*If you are Undocumented or a Non-Citizen, follow the Dream Act instructions below:
Dream ACT
If you are a non-citizen holding a Social Security card issued through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or for some other work authorization, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at www.caldreamact.org. Do NOT fill out a FAFSA.
If you do not have a Social Security Number but meet the qualifications for Dream Act
Apply Here: https://dream.csac.ca.gov
Dream Act Paper Application link:
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/2017-18_english_paper_dream_application.pdf
*This is used as a tool to assist you in gathering information needed for the online Dream Act application
|
|
Step 2
|
Help Parent Create THEIR OWN FSA ID
It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID: Your FSA ID is your signature, so it has to be unique to you. If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child's FAFSA form electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have his or her own.
When you create your FSA ID, you will be given the option to provide your email address and register your mobile phone number. If you choose to provide this information (we strongly encourage you to do so), it is important to remember that a mobile phone number or email address can be associated with only one FSA ID.
For example, if you are a dependent student, you and your parent would not be able to provide the same email address or phone number when you each create your own FSA ID.
|
Fafsa and FSA ID Tips for Parents Video Link:
Fafsa Overview Video Link:
|
|
Step 3
|
Gather Parent’s 2019 Income Tax Information
|
For more information about the EFC, see Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at: https://studentaid.ed.gov/resources#information-on-getting. To request a free copy of Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
|
|
Step 4
|
Start your Financial Aid Application on October 1st, 2020
Complete Application for 2021-2022(This is the application Current Seniors must complete)
|
Link:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
|
|
Step 5
|
Complete your Application and have Ms. Angela Review
|
|
|
Step 6
|
Sign your Financial Aid Application with your FSA ID
Submit Application by March 2nd, 2021
|
*March 2nd is required in order to be eligible for Cal Grants
|
|
Step 7
|
Create a WebGrants Account
|
Link:
https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov
|
|
Step 8
|
Continuously check emails for requests to make corrections(If necessary)
|
|
The California Dream Act Application allows students who enrolled in eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Generally speaking, this financial aid application is for undocumented students.
|
What is AB 540?
|
AB 540 exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and allows them to apply for different types of California Dream Act financial aid.
STUDENTS MUST HAVE
- Satisfaction of either of the following:
- High School attendance in California for three or more years.
- Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.
- Graduated or will graduate from a California high school or obtained a Certificate or General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
- Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
- If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible.
- Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.)**
**If you have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa you may be eligible for the California Dream Act.
AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to also apply for state financial aid. (T visa holders should file a FAFSA, U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application)
If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid. (A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.)
Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.
|
|
What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals / DACA?
|
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal process that defers removal action of an individual by USCIS for a specified number of years.
-
It is not the same as financial aid
-
It does not grant lawful immigration status
-
It does allow individuals to apply for an SSN and work authorization
CA Dreamers should still file a CA Dream Act Application instead of a FAFSA and submit a Non-SSN GPA. If you or your school submits your certified GPA using your DACA SSN, make sure you include that DACA SSN on question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application.
For more info about DACA visit: uscis.gov, e4fc.org, and steps-to-apply-to-DACA
For more details about the difference between DACA and California Dream Act download this PDF.
|
|
What Financial Aid can a Dreamer apply for?
|
-
Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship
-
UC Grants, State University Grants
-
California Community College (CCC) BOG Fee Waiver
-
EOP/EOPS
-
Some University scholarships
-
Some private scholarships administered by campuses
Application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants and most of the other aid listed above is March 2.
DREAMER CAL GRANTS INCLUDE
A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA
You can submit your GPA the following ways
You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any financial aid listed above.
Get help on your application at a Cash for College workshop in your area.
For other financial aid and resources for Dreamers visit: e4fc.org, maldef.org
|
|
More about Cal Grant
|
Cal Grants For Dreamers
The application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants is March 2.
HIGH SCHOOL ENTITLEMENT CAL GRANT A & B
CCC TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT CAL GRANT A & B
-
Meet AB 540 requirements
-
Under 28 by Dec 31st of the award year
-
Attend a community college in the academic year immediately before the award year
-
Submit a community college GPA of 24+ units (2.40 or higher)
-
Include a 4-year college on your Dream App
CAL GRANT C
Dreamers are not eligible to receive Competitive Cal Grant A & B awards.
A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA
You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any Cal Grants listed above.
If you are not eligible for a Dreamer Cal Grant, visit the financial aid office at your campus to find out what other aid is available.
|
|
Why do I need an AB 540 Affidavit?
|
The affidavit is used for students whom meet the AB 540 requirements. The affidavit allows eligible students to receive In State Tuition at California Community Colleges, the University of California, and the California State University (all public colleges and universities in California).
Affidavit Link:
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/ab_540_affidavit.pdf
|
If you are the son or daughter of a disabled or honored military service member, you may qualify for the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver. Click
HERE to learn more.
Regarding Accepting Student Loans:
It’s important to know that you’re under no obligation to accept all the federal student loan money made available to you. You can accept all, some or none of the federal student loans you’re offered. Your award letter may also include scholarships or grants, which is genuinely free money you never have to pay back. Try to use as much free money as you can before you borrow. Just remember to check the terms to ensure you can fulfill any requirements.
Most schools use an online portal that allows students to fully accept, decline or partially accept a loan when first starting admission. Usually student and/or parent will sign a promissory note. By signing the
promissory note, you are promising to repay your student loan. The financial aid office for the school will guide them through the paperwork or direct them to the online
Master Promissory Note if appropriate. *If you take out a loan from the
Direct Loan Program, the U.S. Department of Education will be the lender.
For further assistance please schedule a meeting with me here:
